From today’s Scripture: “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.” — Proverbs 21:13

One of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching is the preferential option for the poor. Proverbs states that if we do not listen to the cry of the poor, our cry will not be heard. This is challenging and Good News. How do we listen to the cry of the poor? How do we respond to the cry of the poor? The motto of Kairos Prison Ministry is to “Listen, Listen, Love, Love.” I believe this is a great motto for us as we live our daily lives and in our ministry. It involves deep listening and responding with the love of Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family beyond our biological family to the Church. How are we listening to our family? How are we listening to our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ? How are we living in solidarity? Jesus said to them in reply, “My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Let us listen, listen, love, love today.

Let us pray: Come, Holy Spirit. Open my ears, open my eyes, open my mind, and open my heart to hear and act on the Word of God. Give me the graces that I need to listen and respond to the cry of the poor.

Today’s author is Brother Jason Muhlenkamp, a missioner in Trousdale County, Tennessee.

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